Secret Chile: Corralco holiday & working holiday options

Corralco is Chile’s newest ski resort, and already one of the best – which says a lot in this country spoilt for choice with the likes of Portillo and Valle Nevado. After a slow start Corralco, situated on 2865m Lonquimay Volacano, is on a roll since they put in a magnificent 5 star hotel at the bottom and a t-bar at the top that doubled the lift accessed vertical to a very healthy 860m. That’s long enough for World Cup downhill training, and we ran into the French team there last September, and American Team Head Coach Sasha Rearack down there checking it out for them.

Check out the full story in the new issue (ipad versions go here , for Australia/New Zealand get the print issue at your newsagent); in the meantime anyone looking for a holiday, or working holiday, with a difference might like to check out ChileWild.com, a business run by a Chilean-Australian couple Lavinia & Fernando, a pair of keen skiers & split-board snowboarders respectively who offer something very special to ski Corralco and the surrounding backcountry, including the magnificent Sierra Nevada range.
They have developed an eco-friendly chalets complex on 7ha within the magnificent Aruacaria Biosphere Reserve above Malcahuello (the funky base town for Corralco), with sweeping views of the valley and mountains.
They also own a 120ha conservation property in the araucaria forest adjacent to Conguillio National Park and Sierra Nevada, a spectacular place to do backcountry ski/snowboard with a season that usually kicks on into November. You get 360° views including Llaima, Lonquimay and Tolhuaca volcanoes in Chile, and more over the border in Argentina.
The chalets are fully self contained and equipped with slow combustion stoves for romantic evenings reflecting on a big day’s adventures. The choice of 5 chalets sleep from 2 – 6 people in comfort.
Corralco is only around 15 minutes away, with a shuttle service available if you don’t have a car (Chile is fantastic to self drive around, especially in spring in this region) & your hosts can organise airport pick ups from Temuco for you – just ask when making your reservation.
Apart from the amazing skiing & boarding the options include 3 thermal pools in the area, and visits to local restaurants and artesan markets. This is the heart of Mapuche territory, with a strong indigenous influence. The hosts are at hand to help you get the most out of it, from organising back country guiding to where to dine or find some Chilean aprés.
Chile Wild chalet rates in spring season from CLP 60,370 per night for 2 people (@ $AUD 120). International bookings save 19% sale tax off that as well!
Ask about their working holiday options to spend more time here by helping out on the property.